Two soldiers, four others killed in Benue gunmen attack

Gunmen suspected to be armed herders on Tuesday attacked the Egwuma community in the Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State killing six people including two soldiers.

A resident in the local government area who identified himself as Anthony told PUNCH Metro on Wednesday that the gunmen invaded the community around 5 pm.

Our correspondent gathered that the attack caused the villagers to flee the community.

Confirming the report on Wednesday, the Caretaker Chairman of Agatu LGA, Philip Ebenyakwu, confirmed that six people including two soldiers lost their lives during the attack.

He said, “Yes, there was a serious attack in Egwuma yesterday (Tuesday) and we lost about six lives including two soldiers.

“The incident happened around after 5 pm. The gunmen came in from Kogi State because we have a boundary with them from the Guma area. They crossed in from Kogi State, took the soldiers by surprise, and began to shoot sporadically.

“They killed six persons including the two soldiers and took their guns and ran away. We also have other casualties.

“We have contacted the security agents in that regard and the Nigerian Army is mobilising the navy, air force commandants, the state Commissioner of Police and the chief security aides to the Benue State governor, to get to the area.”

When contacted, the spokesperson for the state police command, Catherine Anene, said she did not have the report.

“I don’t have this report, please,” the PPRO said in a terse text message to our correspondent.

Also, the Security Adviser to the governor, Joseph Har, said he was in a meeting and could not talk.

The Public Relations Officer of 401 Special Forces Brigade, Makurdi, Captain Abdullahi Osabo, said he could not say if the brigade had troops in Agatu and requested time to find out with the promise to get back.

But as of the time of filing this report, he had yet to get back to our correspondent.